Reno County residents will vote on tax for jail

Wednesday

Feb 6, 2013 at 1:00 PM

Reno County residents will vote on a proposed sales tax increase to fund improvements in the current jail or to build a new jail.

AP

Reno County residents will vote on a proposed sales tax increase to fund improvements in the current jail or to build a new jail.The county commission voted Tuesday to put a half-cent increase in the county sales tax on the April 2 ballot. If approved, it would raise an estimated $28.9 million. The money would be used either to build a new jail or renovate the existing jail and annex.The Hutchinson News reports the sales tax increase would take effect Oct. 1. It would end when bonds issued to pay for the project are paid off, estimated between eight to 10 years.Supporters say the jail's capacity forces the county to house prisoners at other county jails. And they say the current jail has several design flaws.